Richard David Patterson

Richard (Dick) David Patterson, MD., age 86, passed away on March 21, 2023. Born in Akron, Ohio on March 25, 1936, he was a lifelong “Akronite.”

He graduated from Buchtel High School in the class of 1953. His college days were spent at the University of Akron where he joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity, actively supporting his “Brothers in the Bond” for his entire life.

While at UA, Dick joined the Soccer team. He said the first soccer game he ever saw was the first one he played in at the collegiate level. He must have done alright as he was named “All American.” He was a lifelong supporter of not only the University of Akron but the soccer team as well.

At UA Dick met his future wife of sixty-three years, Joyce Greene. He chose to further his education completing Medical School at The Ohio State University. Dick and Joyce then returned to Akron, Ohio, where he completed his residency in Radiology at Akron General Medical Center and welcomed the birth of their two daughters, Jackie Lee and Julie Lyn. Dick then served in the US Army and moved his family to Ft Sill, Oklahoma where his son Richard David, Jr., was born. Upon completion of his commitment to the Army, the Pattersons returned to Akron and settled on Grayling Drive in Fairlawn, where Dick and Joyce welcomed their fourth and final child, David Michael.

Dick accepted a position as an attending with Akron General Medical Center, staying for 45 years. He created the practice Radiology and Imaging Services, Inc (RISI) based at Akron General Medical Center and grew it to serve many of the area’s community hospitals. He served as the longest President of RISI. While at Akron General, Dick served as Chief of Staff for a decade plus and was inducted as a Distinguished Physician in 1996. He was the founding force behind Reflections Breast Imaging Centers and has left an indelible impression on the healthcare systems of our community. The Pattersons moved into their family home at 4420 West Bath Road in 1969. The memories for friends and family are too numerous to list but those were the years - all 46 plus of them.

In his free time, Dick loved Cleveland sports teams, having season tickets in multiple years to multiple teams (Browns, Cavaliers, Indians). He was a long serving commissioner for Bath Little League and also loved coaching his sons' little league teams, watching them bloom into high school pitchers. Dick and Joyce also loved spending time at their “cabin” in Harbor Springs, Michigan. In all honesty, with Dick preferring his hammock to any other spot on the property.

Dick was preceded in death by his loving wife, Joyce, parents, Robert and Marian Patterson, his brother, Robert Patterson, and his daughter, Jackie.

He is survived by his sister, Linda Cole, his daughter, Julie Ragan (Jack), and sons Richard D Patterson, Jr (Janine) and David Patterson, seven grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12 pm on SATURDAY at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., in Fairlawn, where friends may call from 10am – 12 noon. Interment at Rose Hill Burial Park.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333.

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